Chron: Calvin Murphy indicted amid sexual abuse allegations by daughters

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2657580

A grand jury indicted former Houston Rockets star Calvin Murphy today on six counts of sexual abuse, accusing him of molesting his five daughters when they were under the age of 14.

Murphy, 55, from Sugar Land, formally pleaded not guilty to the charges that were filed in March. He has maintained that the allegations stem from a dispute with his family members over money.

"Every time I hear these charges, it just eats at me; I get emotional every time I hear what is alleged," Murphy said outside the courtroom, as tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'm looking forward to my day in court."

The legendary Rockets player and TV commentator is accused of fondling or performing oral sex on the girls between 1988 and 1991, when they ranged in age from 6 to 13. He faces three counts of indecency with a child and three counts of aggravated sexual assault.

Murphy remains free on $20,000 bail. If convicted, Murphy could receive five years to life in prison for the aggravated offenses and two to 20 years for the indecency violations. He also could be eligible for probation because he does not have a criminal history.

Assistant District Attorney Lance Long said the grand jury had been considering the case for several weeks. He said he was confident that the case against Murphy was a strong one, but acknowledged that it is ultimately Murphy's word against that of his daughters.

"If a child or even an adult is raped or sexually assaulted, it's the word of the perpetrator against the victim. It's the same way if you were robbed in the parking lot and you were the only witness," Long said.

Defense attorney Rusty Hardin said Murphy opted not to testify before the grand jury.

"Nobody has heard his side yet," Hardin said.


The former Houston Rockets star, who is on leave from his job as an analyst on Rockets telecasts, "adamantly insists that he is innocent of these charges and is anxious to present his side to a jury at trial," Hardin said.

He said the indictment was expected and "it is important for everyone to remember that the grand jury has not heard from Calvin nor many witnesses on his behalf that insist these allegations are absolutely untrue."


Murphy, a guard for the Rockets from 1970 to 1983, has 14 children by nine women.

In 1980-81, he made 78 straight free throws in one stretch for a record single-season percentage of .958.

The 5-foot-9 player averaged 17.9 points and shot 89.2 percent from the line during his NBA career. He was a high school star at Norwalk, Conn., before moving on to Niagara University, where he averaged 33.1 points.

He was drafted in the second round in 1970 by the San Diego Rockets, who moved to Houston the following year. His 17,949 points were a franchise high until Hakeem Olajuwon surpassed him.

Murphy was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 11 years ago and his number hangs retired at Toyota Center.

 

Sorry.

It was really big news and I had to share. It's sad to see this happening.